Academic recognised for her contribution to student support, community engagement
Lecturer in the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance, Siphumelele Dlungwane, received the African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA) President’s Award in recognition of her role in student support and community engagement at UKZN.
Dlungwane received the award at the AWCA’s 20th Anniversary Conference. The non-profit organisation’s mission is to accelerate the advancement of qualified and aspiring female Black Chartered Accountants (CAs) through providing active support and access to opportunities.
"It is an honour and a privilege to be a recipient of the President’s Award in the year that the AWCA is celebrating its 20th anniversary. One does not join and participate in such initiatives for awards, but it is a fantastic feeling when the work we do as a team in KwaZulu-Natal is recognised," said Dlungwane.
Dlungwane, who is a member of the University’s Student Support and Community Engagement Subcommittee and qualified CA, was recognised for organising and running a Coffee Chat series for KwaZulu-Natal’s student body following the July 2021 civil unrest and for ensuring that mental wellness support was available and accessible to students to help them cope with the impact of the looting and riots.
"I am passionate about training, developing and empowering young minds. I transitioned into academia at the beginning of this year because this platform provides me with an opportunity to work with students who aspire to become CAs. I believe that representation matters and interacting with lecturers like myself who are qualified makes students realise that their goals are attainable," she said.
Dlungwane added that being recognised for her hard work motivates her to continue with community engagement work.
"My community work is ongoing. I have taken the initiative to empower South Africans to become financially literate and be able to make smart financial decisions in order to achieve their financial goals. I share knowledge on personal finance-related matters through social media platforms and consider myself to be 'your financial friend'."
Words: Thandiwe Jumo